Collection Online
Jessica

Jessica
(c. 1925)

Medium
oil on canvas

Measurements
91.8 × 71.5 cm

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1925

Gallery location
Not on display

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Artwork Details

Inscription
inscribed in black paint u.l.: J Longstaff
inscribed in charcoal on reverse u.c.l.: J. Longstaff 9 Collins (...illeg.)

Accession Number
1778-3

Department
Australian Painting

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation

Subjects (general)
Costume Performing Arts Portraits

Subjects (specific)
cloaks clothing half figures hat plume hats models (people) three-quarter views women (female humans)

Frame
By John Thallon, Melbourne, 1896-1908, possibly recycled

Frame

A variant on the popular Louis XV revival style, this time characterised by the use of net to texture the inner scotia and by elaborate detailing of the slip. A very similar frame appears on Longstaff’s Mrs John Connell, (656-2); nevertheless, both are in direct contrast to the other Thallon framing of Mrs Connell, (655-2). Another slight variation on the framing style is found on John Longstaff‘s Sir Leo Cussen, c. 1929, (0276/4). The dating of the label and the probable dating of the painting do not coincide. The frame is either re-cycled or the label does not reflect the date of manufacture of the frame. It nevertheless demonstrates the ongoing use of the Louis XV-style frame well into the twentieth century.

Note

1 Hilary Maddocks, ‘Picture Framemakers in Melbourne c. 1860–1930’ in vol. 1, Frames, Melbourne Journal of Technical Studies in Art, University of Melbourne Conservation Service, 1999.

Frame Details

Framemaker
John Thallon
Melbourne

Date
1896–171

Materials

The frame is made up of composition ornament on a wooden chassis, in the Louis XV style. The inner scotia was inlaid with open weave net prior to gilding. The surface is gilded with false gold in a matte finish throughout.

Frame Condition

Good original condition, though the composition elements on the swept edges have sprung from the timber base.

Dimensions

117.8 x 96.9 x 10.0 cm; sight 90.1 x 69.4 cm

Colourmen

Colourman
W&G DEAN

Location of stamp
Centre reverse of canvas

Transcript
W & G. DEAN/ARTIST COLORMEN/FRAMERS/EQUITABLE PLACE/MELBOURNE

Medium
Ink stencil